What Ink Does the HP DesignJet T120 Use?
Last Updated:Quick answer: the HP DesignJet T120 uses HP 711 ink — four cartridges, plus a separate HP 711 printhead (C1Q10A) that is a user-replaceable part in its own right.
The mistake that costs the most here is HP 712. The 712 family looks almost identical and fits the newer DesignJet T210, T230, T250, T630 and T650. It does not fit a T120. Going the other way, if you actually own a T630 or T650, 711 will not fit either. Check the model badge before ordering.
CastleScore · October 2026
73/100 — Recommended
HP DesignJet T120
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | — | No retailer rating with enough reviews to use. |
| Expert reviews (18%) | 80 | PCMag 4.0/5 |
| Cost per page (24%) | — | Not scored: HP rates 711 cartridges by ink volume, not page yield, so we cannot calculate an honest cost per page. |
| Reliability (13%) | 81 | Most-reported problems: 'There is a problem with the printer or ink system' error that power-cycling and reseating cartridges often does not clear; printhead startup failure / PHF error even after fitting a new printhead and genuine cartridges |
| Features (12%) | 55 | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, touchscreen. No document feeder, no auto two-sided printing, no fax. |
| Value (5%) | — | Running cost and owner satisfaction |
Limited data: We could not find enough owner ratings for this printer, so that weight is spread across the other pillars.
Discontinued. HP replaced the T120 with the DesignJet T125 and T130, which take the same HP 711 cartridges and C1Q10A printhead.
CastleScore is Castle Ink’s own editorial rating, built from retailer star ratings, expert reviews, real cost per page and owner complaint patterns, checked October 10, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The cartridges, pictured
HP 711XL/711 4-color pack80 ml black + 29 ml C/M/Y
HP 711XL Black 80 mlCZ133A · OEM chip
HP 711 Cyan 29 mlCZ130A · OEM chip
HP 711 Magenta 29 mlCZ131A · OEM chip
HP 711XL/711 4-color pack
HP 711XL Black 80 ml
HP 711 Cyan 29 ml
HP 711 Magenta 29 mlOur own remanufactured cartridges, photographed in-house.
HP DesignJet T120 ink at a glance
| Item | Family | Part Number | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black | HP 711 | CZ129A | 38 ml |
| Black (large) | HP 711 | CZ133A | 80 ml |
| Cyan | HP 711 | CZ130A | 29 ml |
| Magenta | HP 711 | CZ131A | 29 ml |
| Yellow | HP 711 | CZ132A | 29 ml |
| Cyan 3-pack | HP 711 | CZ134A | 29 ml each |
| Magenta 3-pack | HP 711 | CZ135A | 29 ml each |
| Yellow 3-pack | HP 711 | CZ136A | 29 ml each |
| Printhead kit | HP 711 | C1Q10A | — |
Note that large-format ink is sold by volume, not by page yield — there is no ISO page figure for these cartridges the way there is for a desktop printer.
The black comes in two sizes, 38 ml and 80 ml. On a plotter doing line drawings, black is what you will actually consume, so the 80 ml is usually the better buy.
The printhead is a consumable too
This is the part desktop printer owners do not expect. The DesignJet T120 has a single user-replaceable printhead covering all four colors, sold as kit C1Q10A. HP describes it as long-life and designed to last the life of the printer, and publishes no replacement interval — you replace it on failure or when print quality cannot be recovered by cleaning, not on a schedule.
Be realistic about what a new printhead will and will not fix, though. On HP's own community, owners hitting "missing or failed printhead" have replaced the printhead and seen the same error return, with experienced responders pointing at the carriage board instead. Reseat the printhead and re-run the printhead installation routine before you spend anything.
Common problems on this model
"There is a problem with the printer or ink system"
The most-reported fault on the T120, and an awkward one because it can be genuine or spurious. Work through it in order: check every cartridge is fully seated with clean contacts, then take all four out, power on and put them back one at a time to see which one brings the message back. If known-good cartridges don't clear it, the printhead is the usual suspect. Owners on HP's own community have replaced both printhead and all cartridges without clearing it, so do not assume parts will solve it — a carriage or main board fault is possible.
Automatic cutter not cutting cleanly
HP has a dedicated troubleshooting document for cutter faults on this series. Check for media debris in the cutter path first, and confirm the media type set in the driver matches what is loaded — the cutter behaves differently on film and heavy stock.
Banding or line-thickness errors
Run the printhead cleaning routine, then a printhead alignment, then a color calibration for the loaded media. On a plotter, alignment matters more than it does on a desktop printer because line work exposes it immediately.
Roll media jams or will not load
Make sure the roll is seated tightly on the spindle and that the leading edge is cut square. A loose roll is the single most common cause of skewed loading on this generation.
What DesignJet T120 owners ask
These are the questions that come up most for this printer on retailer Q&A pages, HP's support forum and owner reviews, answered in our words.
Can a T120 print 36-inch drawings?
No. The T120 takes rolls from 11 to 24 inches wide. The 36-inch model in this family is the T520 (CQ893A), which uses the same HP 711 ink.
How many A1 drawings an hour can it do?
HP rates it at 70 seconds per A1/D line drawing in Fast mode on plain paper, or about 40 prints an hour.
Can I use a printhead sold for the T125 or T130?
Yes. The T120, T125, T130, T520, T525 and T530 all take the same HP 711 printhead kit, C1Q10A.
Why won't my plotter finish installing a new printhead with my part-used cartridges?
Printhead setup primes the new head with ink from the cartridges, and owners report it needs new or well-filled ones. Owners also report HP support can supply a bypass code. Have a full set ready before you start.
Do your remanufactured 711 cartridges have HP chips?
We sell them two ways: with the original HP chip reused (listed as "OEM chip") and with a new chip.
DesignJet T120 quirks worth knowing
- The "ePrinter" name comes from HP ePrint & Share web printing, which needs an HP account. It is not HP+.
- It takes roll media 11–24 inches wide plus cut sheets from a front input tray, and it has an automatic cutter.
- HP rates it at up to 1200 x 1200 optimized dpi, half the T520's 2400 x 1200.
- It has only 256 MB of memory against the T520's 1 GB, which matters for large, complex PDF and CAD files.
FAQ
What ink does the HP DesignJet T120 use?
HP 711 in black, cyan, magenta and yellow, plus the HP 711 printhead kit C1Q10A.
Does the T120 use HP 712?
No. HP 712 fits the DesignJet T210, T230, T250, T630 and T650. The T120, T125, T130, T520, T525 and T530 are the HP 711 machines.
What about HP 727, 728 or 730?
Different large-format families entirely. HP 727 fits the T920, T930, T1500 and T2500; HP 728 fits the T730 and T830; HP 730 fits the T1600, T1700 and T2600.
How long does the printhead last?
HP publishes no interval and describes it as long-life. Replace it when cleaning no longer recovers print quality, not on a schedule.
Which black should I buy, 38 ml or 80 ml?
The 80 ml (CZ133A) on any plotter doing regular line work — black is the color you will burn through.
Other printers that use HP 711
More HP ink guides: HP OfficeJet 3830 · HP Envy 5000 · HP OfficeJet Pro 8610 · find any printer
Sources
Ratings and prices were checked on October 10, 2026 and will change over time.
Need replacement HP ink cartridges? Shop HP ink cartridges at Castle Ink. Remanufactured, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.